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Minnesota’s good budget news continues, fueled by our state’s continuing strong economic growth. Our projected state budget surplus for the next biennium has increased from the $1.037 billion in last November’s forecast to $1.869 billion now. That’s an increase of $832 million, caused principally by Minnesota’s continued economic growth that exceeded economists’ predictions just three months ago.

All aspects of school programing need to focus on helping students succeed, and providing the best possible nutrition is just another part of the equation. That’s why I was intrigued to attend a public press conference more than four years ago to learn how the Life Time Foundation was offering one Minnesota school the opportunity to partner and improve school lunches. Many school officials and local press attended the event at the Depot Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. I was honored that Deephaven Elementary School was selected as the first school to partner with the Life Time Foundation in 2011. Now, as of February 2015, the program has expanded to all six elementary schools in the Minnetonka School District and scores of other schools in several states.

What do you do to relax and quiet your mind? Some months ago I came to the realization that I needed to find a way to slow my brain down and focus on something that had nothing to do with work or life in general.

Intense snow rates are possible Monday night, continuing into Tuesday afternoon with 2 to 5 inches likely in the region, accord-ing to the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen. To make matters worse, on Tuesday morning northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts as high as 45 mph are expected, particularly across western and south-central Minnesota, which will result in con-siderable blowing and drifting snow and blizzard conditions, said the weather service.